‘Cats scratched

West Ranch’s Ross Bacon sizzles, but team falls big to Knights

West Ranch running back Ross Bacon takes off against Notre Dame. Bacon scored four touchdowns, but the Knights won, 52-28.

Ross Bacon was not enough to thwart Notre Dame (2-0) Friday night, as the Knights rolled through West Ranch (1-1) at Valencia High.

The Wildcats' 5-7, 170 pound back ran all over Notre Dame's defense for 140 yards and four touchdowns. Bacon also caught five passes for 56 yards as the team's leading receiver on the night.

As stellar as Bacon was, the Knights had playmakers of their own leading them to a 52-28 victory.

Junior quarterback Ryan Kasdorf, in only his second game as the starting quarterback finished 13-for-14 for 256 yards and four touchdowns, while running for 50 yards on four carries.

Running back, Kenny Boggs - also a junior - was equally impressive, ringing up 141 yards and three touchdowns.

"Our offensive line really stepped up," Kasdorf said. "I don't think I got hit one time and our receivers were able to get past the defense and make big plays."

After a hard-fought first quarter in which both teams were tied at seven, a Bacon fumble led to a 35-yard touchdown strike from Kasdorf to wide receiver, James Flynn who finished with two touchdown receptions.

Bernards finished the night 14-for-29 for 145 yards while scrabbling for 39 yards. Wide receiver, Frankie Madero, who recorded three touchdowns in last week's win at Lancaster, was held in check - catching five passes for 53 yards.

Despite the score, the Wildcats did not give up. However, for each West Ranch score, Notre Dame responded in kind.

Following a third quarter fumble recovery by Wildcats linebacker, Spencer Ortega - which led to a 5-yard touchdown blast from Bacon, the Knights answered 10 seconds later on a Kasdorf 72-yard bomb to senior receiver, Chris McNeill.McNeill also had a productive day, tallying 121 receiving yards and 33 yards on the ground.

There was little doubt the Wildcats took the loss hard, disappointment visible on the players faces. Bacon appeared to take the loss particularly hard but was already looking towards next week.

"We just have to shake it off," Bacon said. "It felt good to be productive but we have to be better on defense. I think our offense looked good but our defense needs to tackle and wrap up - we have to work on our tackling."

Some people might wonder why West Ranch - in their second season in the Foothill league - might take on a perennially tough team like Notre Dame so early in their season, but for Kane, the answer was simple.

"I think it is going to prepare us for the Foothill League," Kane said. "That's why I did it. Will it pay off? We'll see."

Notre Dame finished the 2007 season 8-3 including wins over Foothill Leagues' Canyon and Saugus.

Next week, West Ranch will play at Beverly Hills High at 7 pm.

"Our preparation starts tomorrow morning and we'll get back at it," Kane said. "We've got to and continue to improve - week by week, quarter by quarter, play by play."